Several years back I did a personal study on the armor Paul describes to the people of Ephesus. And - - since we are supposed to put it on daily, I memorized them from the top down, even though that is not their order as listed in Ephesians 6:10-18.
Each piece of equipment is essential, and each has a specific purpose.
The Helmet of Salvation. Salvation is found in Jesus the Messiah alone. That awareness and acknowledgement is part of putting on the helmet. As with a helmet used by a soldier, it protects the brain - - and in the case of the helmet of salvation, it specifically informs our way of thinking. Once our faith is firmly founded in Jesus, we know there is no other way to God but through Him -- just as God's Word tells us! When we know the real intimately we find it very easy to spot the counterfeit.
The Breastplate of Righteousness. Our righteousness is not our own - - it is God's righteousness which covers all our sins through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. Righteousness is something to seek to live up to - - doing right by God's standard. Wanting to be righteous in God's eyes impacts my life in a very positive way. It is a constant reminder nudging me to live according to God's plan.
The Belt of Truth. Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH and the Life. That is the most significant aspect of truth. The other is obviously 'telling the truth' - - being honest and forthright - - in love.
The Shield of faith. We have to have a shield to deflect the flaming darts of the evil one, according to Paul. An apt description! Your enemy the devil goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Not inconvenience, devour. Deception, division, distress are all part of his tool kit. But when we know our Father is GOD, and we place our faith securely in Him, though the darts create a ping or two on the shield, they cannot do permanent or significant damage. Of course, it has to be used in conjunction with the next piece of armor:
The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible, God's holy Word to us in written form. We cannot be Christians without studying the manual. My middle daughter told me that B-I-B-L-E stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Whomever came up with the words to go with those letters as an acronym was very clever.
The final piece of armor is putting on the Shoes of Readiness given by the Gospel of Peace - - shoes that exemplify being prepared to share and proclaim the gospel. Ready to go where He leads. Ready to speak what He wants spoken. Ready to be part of the process of leading others to Him. Ready to obey.
Of course, those are the tangible pieces of armor, but the list doesn't really end there, because, as Paul admonishes, we are to pray all the time with prayers prayed in the Spirit. To that end, Paul says, keep alert with all perseverance. Keep on keeping on. Occupy until He comes. Fight the good fight. Finish the course. Contend for the faith. Be the difference to someone.
That's basic Christianity where the rubber hits the road.
I've lapsed in my intentionality of putting on my armor and thinking about what it means as I consciously and intentionally do that.
Lord, purify me, cleanse me, melt me, mold me.... I want to reflect You.
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